scholarly journals Snags and Cavity-Nesting Birds within Intensively Managed Pine Stands in Eastern North Carolina, USA

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Homyack ◽  
Barton J. Paxton ◽  
Michael D. Wilson ◽  
Bryan D. Watts ◽  
Darren A. Miller

Abstract Although snags are often considered to be a limiting factor for cavity-nesting birds within intensively managed pine (Pinus spp.) stands, there is little information regarding occurrences of snags and cavity-nesting birds for such stands in the southeastern United States. Therefore, during 2002–2003, we measured characteristics of individual snags (n = 1,218) and quantified the relative abundance of cavity-nesting birds (n = 204 observations; nine species) in 35 forest stands representing seven thinning classes (prior to thinning, three age classes following a first commercial thinning, and three age classes following a second commercial thinning entry) in intensively managed pine stands in eastern North Carolina. Snag populations were dynamic, with 649 snags falling and 75 new snags recruited between years. Stands in later thinning classes tended to have snags with larger diameters, less bark, and fewer limbs, and they were taller and more decayed (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that neither density of snags (P = 0.31) nor relative abundance of cavity-nesting birds (P = 0.25) differed strongly among thinning classes. Without active management, low recruitment coupled with the high loss rates that we observed ould lead to low snag densities in older managed stands. Therefore, we suggest that forest managers consider retaining large-diameter dead or live trees as reserve trees through multiple rotations to increase or maintain snags in managed stands.

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R Roberts

I compared the species composition and diversity of vascular plants in the herbaceous layer from a chronosequence of intensively managed spruce (Picea) plantations in three age-classes (5–7, 10–12, 14–16 years) with natural, mature stands (ca. 90 years) in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. Total species richness (stand level) averaged 81–84 species in the three plantation age-classes compared with 64 species in the natural stands; richness of forest habitat species alone was 33–36 in the plantations and 37 in the natural stands. More fertile sites had significantly higher values for Hill's diversity indices (N0, N1, N2). Mean N0, N1, and N2 (subplot level) did not differ among stand types for all species, but N1 and N2 were significantly greater in the natural stands than in one or two plantation age-classes for forest habitat species alone. The two younger age-classes of plantations differed significantly in composition from the natural stands and the plantations became slightly more similar (Sørensen's index) to the natural stands with increasing age. One forest habitat species was lost and 24 others decreased in cover in the plantations. Tracking of plantations over a longer time period will be needed to determine whether these forest habitat species eventually regain their former abundance.Key words: chronosequence, forest harvesting, herbaceous layer, plantations, species diversity, species composition.


2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 474-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weimin Gu ◽  
Robin M. Siletzky ◽  
Sandra Wright ◽  
Mohammed Islam ◽  
Sophia Kathariou

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common bacterial causes of human gastroenteritis, and recent findings suggest that turkeys are an important reservoir for this organism. In this study, 80 C. jejuni isolates from eastern North Carolina were characterized for resistance to nine antimicrobials, and strain types were determined by fla typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with SmaI and KpnI, and (for 41 isolates) multilocus sequence typing (MLST). PFGE analysis suggested that many of the isolates (37/40 [ca. 93%]) in a major genomic cluster had DNA that was partially methylated at SmaI sites. Furthermore, 12/40 (30%) of the isolates in this cluster were completely resistant to digestion by KpnI, suggesting methylation at KpnI sites. MLST of 41 isolates identified 10 sequence types (STs), of which 4 were new. Three STs (ST-1839, ST-2132 and the new ST-2934) were predominant and were detected among isolates from different farms. The majority of the isolates (74%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobials, and resistance to ciprofloxacin was common (64%), whereas resistance to the other drug of choice for treatment of human campylobacteriosis, erythromycin, was never encountered. Most (33/34) of the kanamycin-resistant isolates were also resistant to tetracycline; however, only ca. 50% of the tetracycline-resistant isolates were also kanamycin resistant. Isolates with certain antimicrobial resistance profiles had identical or closely related strain types. Overall, the findings suggest dissemination of certain clonal groups of C. jejuni isolates in the turkey production industry of this region.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry M Congleton ◽  
Cristine W Small ◽  
Susan D Freeman

Background: Eastern North Carolina (ENC) stroke mortality is 12 percent higher than the rest of the state. Often, geographical and sociological barriers prevent people residing in our rural communities from seeking routine health care. Stroke risk factors are known. The purpose of this initiative is to reduce the stroke prevalence and mortality in ENC through community risk factors screening and education. Methods: Medical center volunteers’ staff the screening and volunteer hours are recorded in a community benefit database. Each participant completes a standardized evidenced based assessment. Information collected at each screening includes demographic data, cardiovascular history, knowledge of stroke/transient ischemia signs and symptoms. Clinical metrics obtained are finger stick for random lipid panel and blood glucose, body mass index, hip to waist ratio and carotid bruit screen. Based on the screening results, education, recommendations and referrals are reviewed with every participant. Results: From 2007-2010 the screening volume doubled. In 2011, there was a reduction in screening volume as our system hospitals expanded their community stroke outreach efforts. Approximately 4900 community screenings have been conducted from 2007-2011. Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol respectively are most frequently occurring stroke risks factor found, which is consistent with national trends. Stroke mortality has decreased in the region while transient ischemia attack admissions volume has increased at our certified primary stroke center and regional referral center. Conclusions: In conclusion, primary and secondary prevention through community outreach education, risk factors screening and regional collaboration has made a difference. The region has seen a decrease in stroke prevalence and mortality in ENC. Further reduction is necessary to continue to make an even greater impact. Future directions for the stroke risk factor identification screening is to further integrate community efforts and seeks grant opportunities to establish stroke prevention and management clinics throughout the region.


Author(s):  

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann Coleoptera: Scolytidae Attacks Pinus spp. Information is given on the geographical distribution in ASIA, Israel, NORTH AMERICA, Mexico, USA, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN, Belize, E! Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua.


2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hamer

Bears (Ursus spp.) in North America eat the seeds of several pines (Pinus spp.), including Limber Pine (P. flexilis E. James). Information on use of Limber Pine in Canada is limited to a report of three bear scats containing pine seeds found in Limber Pine stands of southwestern Alberta. After my preliminary fieldwork in Banff National Park revealed that bears were eating seeds of Limber Pine there, I conducted a field study in 2014–2015 to assess this use. Because bears typically obtain pine seeds from cone caches (middens) made by Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), I described the abundance, habitat characteristics, and use by bears of Red Squirrel middens in and adjacent to Limber Pine stands at six study sites. On Bow River escarpments, I found abundant Limber Pines (basal area 1–9 m2/ha) and middens (0.8 middens/ha, standard deviation [SD] 0.2). Of 24 middens, 13 (54%) had been excavated by bears, and three bear scats composed of pine seeds were found beside middens. Although Limber Pines occurred on steep, xeric, windswept slopes (mean 28°, SD 3), middens occurred on moderate slopes (mean 12°, SD 3) in escarpment gullies and at the toe of slopes in forests of other species, particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). At the five other study sites, I found little or no use of Limber Pine seeds by bears, suggesting that Limber Pine habitat may be little used by bears unless the pines are interspersed with (non-Limber Pine) habitat with greater forest cover and less-steep slopes where squirrels establish middens. These observations provide managers with an additional piece of information regarding potential drivers of bear activity in the human-dominated landscape of Banff National Park’s lower Bow Valley.


1983 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Régnière ◽  
Robert L. Rabb ◽  
R. E. Stinner

AbstractAdult Japanese beetle populations were sampled continuously during the summers of 1978 and 1979 in two agricultural stations in eastern North Carolina. Patterns in trap capture were used to develop a conceptual model of the movements of this insect in agricultural areas. A partition of land area is proposed, based on four categories of sites from the point of view of suitability to this insect's reproduction and survival: (1) intensive production sites, (2) marginal production sites, (3) migration alleys, and (4) adult feeding sites. This partition is suggested as a framework for discussion and study of the population dynamics of the insect.


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